Rock the Bells kicked off its 2009 hip-hop festival tour in Chicago – just two days after Michael Jackson’s sudden death. Chris Catania took in this year’s finest while ruminating on the psychology of a crowd in mourning.

House Music LP (Gigolo). Review by Carl F Gauze.

M. Ward suspends time and lifts Chicago, and Chris Catania , up in the warm embrace of his timeless music.

Advance Base Battery Life (Tomlab). Review by Matthew Moyer.

War Metal Battle Master (Southern Lord). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Does Martin Atkins really expect folks to spend money on a DVD that promotes a book that bands can spend money on to learn how to save money on the road? Andrew Coulon hopes not.

Lady Sovereign may have matured since parting ways with Def Jam records, but she recently proved to both Chicago and our own Chris Catania that she’s still the “biggest midget in the game.”

Are you ready to scream your lungs out?! Dave Grohl was. So were over 80,000 fans as they packed Wembley Stadium for a performance that was two parts ferocious rock and one part classic rock. All this makes Tim Wardyn want to go to a Foo Fighters concert so badly that he can taste the sweat flying off the TV. We’ll let him explain.

DJ Anthony Davis and Sean Daley bring a golden carnival of Atmosphere to Chicago.

There’s more to Hanson than “MmmBop,” and the all-grown-up band proves it at Chicago’s House of Blues. Cindy Barrymore says the brothers’ cuteness has worn off. You be the judge.

Chris Catania gets in touch with his feminist side at Chicago’s DeciBelle Festival.

Chris Catania makes it through a weekend of punk, rock, hip hop, sweat, and garbage cans without having his head mistaken for a hi-hat.

Despite being sunkissed by Spiritualized and bum rushed by Public Enemy , Chris Catania is distinctly underwhelmed by this year’s Pitchfork Festival.

The Harlequin EP (Highwheel). Review by Matthew Moyer.

At the Kooks’ Chicago tour stop, Chris Catania sees that there may indeed be something wrong with a lil’ (too much) bump n’ grind.

Dave Mustaine and his once trailblazing Megadeth seem to be facing the quandary of many “classic” acts, an audience that wants you frozen in time and the creeping realization that your best songs are behind you. Nostalgia may sell, but Chris Catania ain’t buying.

Kimya Dawson mothers the Chicago kids with her folkish punk rock lullabies. Chris Catania digs.

Chris Catania is utterly floored by Brother Ali’s recent Chicago performance. Is the future of indie rap an albino Muslim who comes off equal parts Muhammed Ali, KRS-One and southern preacher? Maybe you should find out for yourself…

Chris Catania recently got his dance on with Justice in Chicago. Sometimes – sometimes – the Grammys get it right.

Wilco’s February 20 performance eclipsed the Moon’s. Chris Catania caught them at the Riviera, under a sky blue hometown sky.